Jason Bateman & Ben Mendelsohn join Stephen King’s The Outsider  

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Media Rights Capital (MRC) recently announced that they have a TV series on the way based on Stephen King's 576-page THE OUTSIDER. MRC plans to adapt the new mystery-thriller novel into a 10-episode limited series and has already tapped THE NIGHT OF writer Richard Price to pen the script. And today we have word via Variety that Jason Bateman and Ben Mendelsohn have joined the upcoming adaptation.

Mendelsohn (see above) who is attached to star and produce in the new series, is perhaps best known for his role in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY but has also starred in such neo-classics as READY PLAYER ONE, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and ANIMAL KINGDOM. Jason Bateman, on the other hand, will always be known for playing Michael Bluth in ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT to this guy. That said, Bateman will surprisingly NOT be playing a role in this new show, but will instead be lending his talents behind the camera, directing the first two episodes and executive producing.

Amazon's rundown on the novel goes like this:

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.

Media Rights Capital is the studio and will produce along with Aggregate and Temple Hill Entertainment. Media Rights Capital produced the recent King adaptation of THE DARK TOWER and are teaming with the executive producers of the MR. MERCEDES TV series Jack Bender and Marty Bowen to bring THE OUTSIDER to a screen near you. King has the option to join as executive producer. No word on whether he has accepted the offer yet. 

We'll let you know once we hear more about this upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's THE OUTSIDER but until then you can snag a copy of the novel for yourself or a loved one over on Amazon right HERE. Have you read THE OUTSIDER? What did you think? Let us know below!